Qantas Boosts Capacity On Gold Coast Flights

Qantas will use larger aircraft on flights serving the Gold Coast to meet the demand for seats following the withdrawal of Ansett services.

Qantas Executive General Manager Sales and Marketing, John Borghetti, said capacity through the Gold Coast would rise by more than 6,400 seats to a total of 29,468 seats per week, compared with the current schedule.

He said that under a new schedule effective 28 October, Qantas would reintroduce Boeing 767 and Boeing 737 services between the Gold Coast and Sydney and Melbourne.

"We will use a mix of 767s and 737s carrying up to 236 passengers, offering Business and Economy Class service, a range of discount air fares and Frequent Flyer seats and benefits."

"The new schedules will be available for sale through Qantas or travel agents from tomorrow," he said.

Qantas will operate three non-stop return flights each day between Melbourne and the Gold Coast; six daily non-stop return services between Sydney and the Gold Coast with an extra return service on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and an additional return service on Saturday.

The 115-seat B717 jets currently used on Gold Coast flights will be incorporated into other Qantas domestic schedules.

Qantas will provide an extra 2,000 seats through the Gold Coast on supplementary flights for the Indy 300 car race between 24 and 27 October.